paul desmond biography paul desmond biography

Brubeck managed to keep both Desmond and Morello in the group but with frictions between them for years. He was a member of the Dave Brubeck Quartet and composed that group's biggest hit, "Take Five". Unlike some biographies which merely rehash each recording, Ramsey does a great job weaving the diverse strands of Desmond's personal life with his music making. All rights reserved. Jazz musician and songwriter who played alto saxophone for the Dave Brubeck Quartet and penned the group's 1959 hit song "Take Five." He was a prominent member of the post-World War II "cool jazz" movement. In 1959, Desmond penned the first million-seller, jazz single, "Take Five". His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. There was a period of time when Desmond left Brubeck and performed with small groups. Generation also known as The Greatest Generation. Paul Desmond (Paul Emil Breitenfeld) was born on 25 November, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA, is a Soundtrack, Music Department. He fronted a quartet featuring guitarist Jim Hall for two weeks at the "Half Note" in New York City, and broke their attendance record. In their 'Take The A Train' performance in Hanover, Germany in 1958, for example, Desmond's playing sounded lack-luster and uninterested. For the critics it was a strange musical relationship. " attractive combination of affection and candor A serious, thoughtful book, as lucidly written as a first-class literary biography" - Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal"A major piece of jazz scholarship, the book cuts no corners." His friends tell of his last weeks, when an old friend, jazz legend Charles Mingus, appeared at his apartment draped in a swirling black cape and a matching Spanish cowboy hat. And that's what made "Take Five". Add photos, demo reels Add to list More at IMDbPro Contact info Agent info Known for A Civil Action 6.6 Paul Shalline 1998 Legends of the Fall 7.5 Roscoe Decker 1994 Glory 7.8 10th Connecticut Soldier 1989 All the King's Men 6.1 Slade 2006 Credits IMDbPro "name" : "Paul Desmond", When drummer Joe Morello joined the Quartet in 1956, Desmond disliked his crowd-pleasing performances so much that he threatened to quit the Quartet. After years of chain smoking and poor health, Desmond succumbed to lung cancer in 1977 after a tour with Brubeck. Desmond's mother, born Shirley King, was of an Irish Catholic family. The book has been out of print for several years and I obtained my copy through interlibrary loan. In a business where booze and drugs abound, his drinking was legendary, but it was three packs a day that caught up with him in May of that year. [1] Starting in 1933, Desmond spent nearly five years living with relatives in New Rochelle, New York due to his mother's mental health problems. Desmond who had studied creative writing and loved the "concept" of being a writer never got around to it. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Desmond made the move from the San Francisco area to New York where he spent his remaining years. Unlike Brubeck, Mulligan shared much in common with Desmond, such as similar interests and humor, and both men had no shortage of addictions in their lives. } Paul Desmond - Biography. When the Quartet split in 1967, Desmond began an intermittent yet satisfying recording career. The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five. Though various critics credited the success of the Dave Brubeck Quartet to Desmond's horn, others over-looked his playing as "too pretty". The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." Was he just a minor figure in a jazz landscape of greats? In their private lives Dave Brubeck and his family were very close to Paul Desmond, though the two men possessed very different personalities. People of this zodiac sign like freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors and dislike clingy people, constrained, off-the-wall theories. Desmond had a falling out with Brubeck when he resigned from the Band Box and prevented Brubeck from taking over the residency. The group also appeared on CBC-TV's Take 30, and were recorded at the Edmonton Jazz Festival. The closest he came was one hilarious chapter that appeared in the British humour magazine, Punch. His witty quotations from musicals, classical pieces, and folk songs were also a watermark of his artistry. Desmond spent the remainder of his life playing with many different artists and composers. - Paul Desmond. He spent three years in the military, but his unit was not called to combat. Long before his success as the alto saxophonist with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, decades before he wrote "Take Five," Desmond determined that he would be himself, never a disciple or an imitator, whatever the cost. Desmond met Dave Brubeck in 1944 in the military. | Permission & contact The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. While in high school, Desmond wished to study the violin, but his father dissuaded him, saying that violin players were "a dime a dozen.with the violin, you'll starve. Paul never said it would be the end. After some time spent inactive, Desmond was asked to play the Half Note in New York City in 1971 by Hall. Eventually he was coaxed out of retirement to play occasional gigs with his friends. In contrast, Brubeck was deeply religious and a stalwart family man.[7]. I read that the electronic version is available for around $15. Jazz at Oberlin , Fantasy, 1953. Desmond once told Marian McPartland of National Public Radio's Piano Jazz that he was taken aback by the chord changes which Brubeck introduced during that 1944 audition. And, in fact, he was a prolific correspondent, carrying his Olivetti portable typewriter with him even on his foreign trips. Desmond's mother Shirley was emotionally unstable throughout his upbringing, and appears to have suffered from obsessivecompulsive disorder and other mental illnesses. Ruling Planet: Paul Desmond had a ruling planet of Jupiter and has a ruling planet of Jupiter and by astrological associations Thursday is ruled by Jupiter. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. The harmony was always right, the melodies were always right. In this area, Desmond was a private person. Jim Hall talked him into coming to Toronto to play with Canada's premier jazz guitarist Ed Bickert. The co-author of that enduring hit, "Take Five," was the band's alto sax player, Paul Desmond, who is now the subject of a lavish, beautifully produced, large-format biography by Doug Ramsey called Take Five (Parkside Publications, $44.95). Born : November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. Paul Desmond discography and songs: Music profile for Paul Desmond, born 25 November 1924. His last concert was with Brubeck in February 1977, in New York City. He began by playing clarinet in high school and was tutored in music theory by his father, a theater organist and arranger. Paul Desmond (born Paul Emil Breitenfeld; November 25, 1924 May 30, 1977) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer and proponent of cool jazz. 23, No. Paul Desmond was a Sagittarius and was born in the G.I. The Quartet formed toward the end of 1950 and took final shape with Eugene Wright and Joe Morello a few years later. The Quartet was extremely successful for their Time Series, which was a series of five albums that featured songs in irregular, unusual time signatures such as 5/4 and 9/8. With a style that was similar to that of Lee Konitz, one of his influences, he quickly became one of the best-known saxophonists from the West Coast's cool school of jazz. Awash in Dewars and full of health." "[1] Desmond developed a talent for writing during high school as well, becoming co-editor of his high school newspaper. [13] Desmond reportedly owned a Baldwin grand piano, which he lent to Bradley Cunningham, owner of Bradley's piano bar in Greenwich Village, provided that Cunningham move the large piano back to Desmond's Upper West Side apartment to become part of Desmond's estate. "@type": "Person", Paul Desmond Follow Artist + The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." Read Full Biography Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Related Share on facebook twitter tumblr Album Highlights Paul Desmond / Gerry Mu Two of a Mind Paul Desmond Then it was a logical move to alto saxophone. In the 1940s and 1950s, Desmond frequently took amphetamines, and in the 1970s, he was known to use cocaine. During Morello's first performance with the group, he was featured by Brubeck and received an ovation from the audience for his solo. Jazz Goes to College , Columbia, 1954. Paul Desmond's net worth His warm, elegant tone was one that he admittedly tried to make sound like a dry martini. A short, witty piece entitled How Jazz Came to Orange County Fair was published in. Desmond's improvisation is praised for its logical structure and lyricism. 156-157. All About Jazz musician pages are maintained by musicians, publicists and trusted members like you. Later married Willis Dean Kaye (died 1986); they had one child, Christopher (1956-2014). Lemme Tell Ya 'Bout Desmond: the Music of Paul Desmond, Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond, Desmond After Dark (With the Dave Brubeck Quartet). Paul Desmond was a legendary American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. Most readers likely are familiar with that musical combination and recordings. Articles I've never seen a biography like it. - Gene Lees, Editor of "The Jazz Letter"This is the finest biography we've had of an important jazz figure. - Dan Morgenstern (Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies), LEARNTimelineBrubeck BooksAbout Dave BrubeckBrubeck Living Legacy, LISTENLullabiesJazz WorksCompositionsTime OutTakes, CONNECTContact Find EventsDave Brubeck 100. Basically, Paul was a clarinet player for many years, but he started playing alto after high school and more during the time he was in the Army band at the Presidio in San Francisco. Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." Perhaps it was their uncanny ability to play counterpoint that endeared them to their fans and to each other. Instead, though they shared the same concert stage nearly every night, he didn't speak to Morello for a year. And I figure that it's a dumb move to trade a fairly secure place in the world of jazz for Number 493 Unemployed Humorist. Desmond also played with guitarist Jim Hall in New York City in 1971, and with Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert in Toronto. You don't think of Paul Desmond as a real swinging musician, he's not famous for that. Privacy Policy | We do not sell or share your personal information | 2023 All About Jazz & Jazz Near You . He had a reputation as a lady's man, and was often seen accompanied by gorgeous models. Brubeck was studying at Mills College and playing nights with a trio in San Francisco. Songs | Paul Desmond. Trivia (5) Dave Brubeck. DR. At the time, Brubeck and wife Iola had three small children, and Brubeck had instructed Iola not to let Desmond set foot in the family home. There are several photos of Desmond in Europe carrying the portable typewriter case. [4][7] That is how the Dave Brubeck Quartet had its start, a group that began in 1951 and ended in December 1967. He appeared with Dave Brubeck in a series of concerts called "Two Generations of Brubeck" in which Dave played with his musical sons, and in 1976, the Quartet reunited for the Silver Anniversary Tour. The Paul Desmond Papers are held at the Holt-Atherton Special Collections in the University of the Pacific Library. Large format (10x11"), hard bound with dust jacket, 372 pages, 190 photos, matte paper; complete with discography of all Desmond recordings. Title: Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond Author: Doug Ramsey, Foreword by Dave and Iola BrubeckPublished: February 2005, Parkside Publications, Inc.Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. Jazz at Oberlin and Take Five were considered essential purchases by college students of the era, but Jazz Impressions of Japan was its most innovative recording. Like many famous people and celebrities, Paul Desmond kept his personal life private. Other of his compositions such as Audrey, Desmond Blue, and Wendy are often visited by jazz musicians. There were also two albums with a Desmond/Gerry Mulligan quartet. Desmond was also described as a womanizer who was unable to form (and was uninterested in maintaining) steady relationships with women, though he had no shortage of female companions throughout his life. Died : May 30, 1977 in New York City, New York. Despite his many friends, Gene Lees wrote that Desmond was the "loneliest man" he ever knew. - Downbeat Magazine, July, 2005an invaluable addition to jazz literature. [2] However, Fred Barton, songwriter/arranger and Desmond's cousin, found extensive genealogical proof that both the Breitenfeld and Lwy families were Bohemian Jews. After Morello's complex rhythm, Desmond would play even quieter and even dropped for a few bars. Famed critic Nat Hentoff called him "one of the most creative figures in modern jazz." He worked in dance bands and dixieland groups, entertained in amusement parks and resorts. In Concert at Town Hall (with the Modern Jazz Quartet), DRG, 1971. His father suggested that he switch from violin to clarinet. After making the cut heunlike Desmondwas sent overseas in 1944, to Europe. JUMP TO: Paul Desmonds biography, facts, family, personal life, zodiac, videos and related celebs. To me his lyricism has never been equalled, as far as logic and lyricism combined, because there's always a strand going back some place in his melodies, and in his choruses that shows a great intellect combined with a great emotionalism, and usually you don't find the two things in one person. Desmond played his loping, slow, ordered, and intricate solos in direct contrast to the pianist's obsession with large chords, creating a myriad of textures for melodic and rhythmic counterpoint unlike any heard in jazz. "url": "https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/paul-desmond" Looking up, he searched his memory, trying to make sense of the image looming before him. Finally it clicked the hooded harvester from Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. I was ready to trade the entire rights, lifetime-wise of "Take Five" for a used Ronson electric razor. It was first recorded in 1959 and is the third track on Time Out by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. These were released on the albums She Was Too Good to Me, You Can't Go Home Again, and The Best Thing For You. Jeff Barnhart, Hal Smith -with- Andy Schumm. I knew Paul Desmond, but I found so much more I did not know. - Nat Hentoff, noted critic and jazz writerThe detail of the research is astonishing. Desmond appeared at Brubeck's San Francisco apartment one day while Dave was in the back yard hanging diapers on a laundry line, and Iola, defying Brubeck's wishes, let Desmond in and took him to Dave. So, how much is Paul Desmond worth at the age of 53 years old? , money, salary, income, and assets. Bookmark this page and come back often for updates. No wonder that articles started appearing questioning the basis of the Desmond-Brubeck collaboration. On the first page of the set's notes, we are informed that Toronto bassist and recording engineer Don Thompson recorded Desmond's quartet in March . | This is the way the world ends, not with a whim but a banker." - Paul Desmond. But his best work of the period was a happy collaboration with three Toronto musicians. About, Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. Desmond enjoyed reading works by the thinkers of his generation like Timothy Leary and Jack Kerouac, also dabbling in some LSD usage. He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. | These illustrations made him a major influence on the image of urban males in twentieth-century America. Pauls education details are not available at this time. Paul Desmond is known for A Civil Action (1998), Legends of the Fall (1994) and Glory (1989). "@context": "https://schema.org", The Breitenfeld family in Bohemia and Vienna featured musicians in every generation throughout the 1800s, 1900s, and to the present day. At the time I really thought it was kind of a throw-away. Desmond was also credited as the lead songwriter for the Quartets most famous composition, Take Five. Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond is the story of a jazz artist who transcended genres to establish one of the most immediately recognizable sounds in all of music. He told many stories over the years regarding how he chose the name Desmond, but his biographer Doug Ramsey offers an account from Desmond's friend Hal Strack that the two were listening to the Glenn Miller band singer Johnny Desmond in 1942, and Desmond told Strack "that's such a great name. Paul Emil Breitenfeld is part of G.I. Paul Desmond is widely recognized for his genius as a melodic improviser and as the benchmark of cool jazz sax players. History Yet with different musical aspiration and taste, their relationship was full of tension. Biography in: "American National Biography". Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, an arch rival in various jazz polls said, "I believe that Paul Desmond shares with Benny Carter the title of most lyrical altoist. This is a jazz music websitespammers will be deleted. The Complete Recordings of the Paul Desmond Quartet with Jim Hall (1959-65) , Mosaic, 1988. The greatest overall compatibility with Sagittarius is Gemini and Aries. But that that was when he was playing great. "image": "https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/musician/Paul-Desmond-200-2017.jpg", And the thing that makes "Take Five" work is the bridge, which we almost didn't use. Theory This is Desmond as leader and musical organizer, whose wit and warmth come singing through his song choices, his arrangements and his compositions. But he was also a moody man. He is primarily known for his paintings, drawings and sketches of horses and equestrian sports. radio broadcast, "Birdland", NYC, December 15, 1951 At A Perfume Counter (as Perfume Counter) Alto AL 711 That Old Black Magic How High The Moon * Alto AL 711 Dave Brubeck - Modern Complex Dialogues Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories and includes a local jazz events calendar. Also learn how He earned most of Paul Desmond networth? He enjoyed his friendships with both musicians and writers, sometimes telling casual acquaintances that he was a writer. Baker and Desmond also appeared together on two tracks included on Jim Hall's 1975 Concierto album. As a child, he played the violin and the clarinet. And Dave said, "Well let's run it through." Paul Desmond Follow Artist + The quintessential cool jazz saxophonist, an alto with a shimmering sound and light, airy playing exemplified by his self-written "Take Five." Read Full Biography Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Related Share on facebook twitter tumblr Credits (1-1,530 of 1,530) By the time he reached college, he started playing the Alto Saxophone, which later became his most preferred instrument. He died on 30 May 1977 in New York City, New York, USA. Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond, October 8, 1954. After Desmond died, the editor of Parkside Publications sought out Ramsey and persuaded him to write the book. Paul Desmond was born in the Year of the Rat. People who are born with Jupirer as the ruling planet are optimistic and have a big appetite for life. [4] During Brubeck's Two Generations tours, Desmond and Mulligan shared the stage in 1974. (1924 - 1977) Paul Desmond had a sound on alto saxophone that remains highly recognizable. Born in San Francisco in 1924, Desmond was one of the leading proponents of the West Coast "cool" style. Though a mild-mannered, professorial-looking man, Desmond was capable of strong emotion. They made two studio albums together (Gerry Mulligan - Paul Desmond Quartet (1957), and Two of a Mind (1962)). a question invariably asked by airline stewardesses. 1924 Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA as Paul Emil Breitenfeld. 1991 Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1991. It was a sound that made him a favourite with critics and fans alike, and won him jazz poll after jazz poll. Desmond played a Selmer Super Balanced Action model alto saxophone with an M. C. Gregory model 4A-18M hard rubber mouthpiece, both dating from circa 1951, with a moderately stiff Rico 3 reed.[16]. In one Down Beat review he was described as "oftimes loud and pounding and seemingly at a loss for melodic ideas." Best known as a member of Dave Brubeck's legendary quartet and the man who wrote the biggest-selling jazz single ever, 'Take Five', Paul Desmond's importance as a jazz performer cannot be underestimated. There was an early marriage for Desmond but for various reasons, it didnt work out. Desmond began sitting in with the trio and with Brubecks experimental octet at Mills. "Okay, set up the chess board." Desmond also joined the Modern Jazz Quartet for a Christmas concert in 1971 at the New York Town Hall.[4]. Fortunately Don Thompson also doubles as a recording engineer, and a number of the club dates were recorded and released. Omissions? Also during this time, Brubeck became one of the first jazz musicians to regularly tour and conduct seminars at. Paul Desmond was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California, USA. Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. JazzStandards.com - All Rights Reserved --publisher. For several weeks, he led a small jazz combo at the Band Box in Redwood City that included Dave Brubeck. Jim Hall Show less, Paul Desmond & His Canadians, The Complete Set At Last, More From The Late Ed Bickert With Paul Desmond, Instrument: Saxophone, alto Extensive biography of jazz saxophonist Paul Desmond, one of the major jazz figures of all time, written by noted jazz critic Doug Ramsey. Desmond was a heavy smoker, several packs a day, as well as a drinker who could play well while "in his cups." Lung cancer accounted for his decline and death at age 52. : Paul Emil Breitenfeld : American jazz alto saxophonist and composer (Composed "Take Five" for the Dave Brubeck Quartet). At 53 years old, Paul Desmond height not available right now. I knew Paul Desmond, but I found so much more I did not know."Nat Hentoff, author of American . One of the greats, Charlie Parker, named him as his favourite alto player. There was a sign in our hospital medical library which read: Any book is new until youve read it. He took whatever work he could get as a player. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with that. The success of the quartet led to a Time magazine piece on them in 1954, with the famous cover featuring Brubeck's face. With the immense success of Desmond's "Take Five," the Brubeck Quartet became the first million-selling jazz group. The Dave Brubeck Quartet played until 1967, when Brubeck switched his musical focus from performance to composition and dissolved the group. Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond is the story of a jazz artist who transcended genres to establish one of the most immediately recognizable sounds in all of music. { In June 1969 Desmond appeared at the New Orleans Jazz Festival with Gerry Mulligan, with favorable reactions from critics and audience members. "Take Five" is a jazz standard composed by Paul Desmond. He is also well-known for his over three decades of illustrations for Brooks Brothers catalogs including more than one-thousand drawings. It is an oversized book, clothbound at 10 x 11. During World War I, while training with the 17th New York Regiment in Plattsburgh, New York, he composed The Last Long Mile, one of the best-known soldiers' songs of that war.[3]. He is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 53 years old group. Soundtrack: Rushmore. When pianist Marian McPartland asked him about his dates he punned, "Sometimes they go around with guys who are scuffling for a while. Copyright 2005-2022 - JazzStandards.com Desmond is best known for his years with the Dave Brubeck Quartet (1959-1967) and his well-known composition "Take Five." He met Brubeck in the late '40s and played with his Octet. Pristine, perfect. His many fans didn't know that he was dying, and incapable of the level of playing that he was famous for. Desmond specified in his will that all proceeds from "Take Five" would go to the Red Cross following his death. Genres MusicBiographyJazzHistory 370 pages, Unknown Binding Buy. As a child, he often played the violin (even though his father forbade him to do so), and the age of twelve, he would start studying the clarinet at San Franciscos Polytechnic High School. Long before his success as the alto saxophonist with the Dave Brubeck Quartet, decades before he wrote "Take Five," Desmond determined that he would be himself, never a disciple or an imitator, whatever the . New York: Oxford University Press, 2002. Jazz at the College of the Pacific, Volume 2, Anything Goes! Paul Emil Breitenfeld was born on November 25, 1924 in San Francisco, California. "Doug Ramsey's Take Five is an invaluable addition to jazz literatureby an especially enduring writer on the music.